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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
This afternoon I finished Black Cloud: The Deadly Hurricane of 1928. It is for people who enjoy non-fiction, are interested in weather phenomena, racial discrimination and perhaps those who want to know more about the flooding of of Lake Okeechobee drawn in the last portion of Zora Neale Hurston's novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. There is one chapter that focuses on the author, her life, the books she wrote and this particular book. When I say the book is full of research detail, I really do mean it. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've finished Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwellhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Couldn't bring myself to join the parade of folks who love Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis. Ah well. Can't like 'em all, right?
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
Great review Chrissie! The connection with Their Eyes Were Watching God intrigues me.
An entirely different era, but I visited Mississippi after Katrina and talked to several residents of a poor predominantly black area that was hit especially hard - their stories of the storm itself and the "rescue" effort (or lack thereof) were harrowing beyond belief. I'll never forget it. The people from charity organizations that came to help afterwards were greeted very warmly. By the time I went there, most had moved on and their community hadn't received much help - the area was decimated.
South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula was the location for this "domestic suspense" novel by Aussie author Dianne Maguire, Things We Cannot See. 3★Important subject about teens and sexual predators written by a former social worker.
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Greg wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "This afternoon I finished Black Cloud: The Deadly Hurricane of 1928. It is for people who enjoy non-fiction, are interested in weather phenomena, racial discriminat..."I think the author did a great job of presenting what happened in a fair light. It can be very easy today to criticize past injustices but one has to see what happened in the light of the era and the size of the calamity. He doesn't shy from presenting the discrimination that occurred but at the same time he presents the reality of the devastation and the prejudices of the time.
The book is not going to be for everyone. It IS non-fiction and a lot of details ARE presented. If one just wants an emotional story well then I don't know. I like to be given the facts. I hope I made this clear in my review. I am always worrying about my reviews after I finish them...... did I get the book drawn clearly so others can decide if it is for them.
Given what you have seen and experienced and knowing you as I do, I think you would like this book.
I've just finished browsing The Mississippi Encyclopedia. What an interesting book!Here's my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Wow, now this was really good: The Return of the Soldier.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
You really should listen to the audiobook narrated by Wanda McCaddon (aka Nadia May).
Mod
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
You really should listen to the audiobook narrated by Wanda McCa..."
So glad you liked it too Chrissie! :)
Greg, I really, really did. Again, the beautiful writing found in her non-fiction. I also enjoyed thinking through the situation!
Mod
It is a complex scenario, how to know what is best. In this case, it almost seems as though the amnesia gave him a second chance to avoid some terrible past mistakes. As though somewhere deep down in an unspoken part of him he wanted to "do over" his life, and his brain defended him without his knowledge by making those deepest wishes possible.
The book has such sadness to it - even if we all don't have war amnesia, we can all relate to such regrets I think .. those little choices (and mistakes) that shape us.
I remember reading somewhere that West worked with shellshocked soldiers as a war correspondent. I think she knew her subject well. Maybe that helped her to completely avoid all the clichés?
Chrissie wrote: "Diane S ☔ wrote: "Finished The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermithttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Look at the direction we are..."
Sounds about right to me, heh.
My first 2017-published book is, well, in the books!
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Today I just finished the book The Epic of Ram: Volume 1 This was an amazing book and I can not wait to read Volume 2 this week.
Greg wrote: "In this case, it almost seems as though the amnesia gave him a second chance to avoid some terrible past mistakes."Exactly how I felt too. I think sooner or latter reality would have been revealed. I mean it was simply a matter of time before Chris went into his son's room. Maybe one can say it is nicer to live in the dark but unfortunately I do not think that is an alternative. It would be interesting to take the story a step further and explore what the future holds. Do any of them dare to break from the mold, step out of line and break social codes? There ARE brave people who dare.
The respective merits of the three women reminded me of the biblical tale of King Solomon and the two women fighting for a child. I believe it is called the Judgement of Solomon.
Finished Sing, Unburied, Sing, a powerful, important read that was able to subtly incorporate so many issues and themes, but never overwhelm or undercut the narrative, with authentic, true, complete characters and a gorgeous storytelling style that is sharp and stark but also lyrical. 5 stars from me.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have completed The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Phew, a bad thing about reading short books is that you every other day you have to write another review.
Catchup of what I've read since beginning of March, apart from the one I've just read and haven't yet done the review for - Finished Ramsey Campbell's Hungry Moon and posted a review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1925761435.
Read Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Shattered Chain and posted a review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1932490280.
Mod
Finished Ramsey Campbell's Hungry Moon and posted a revie..."
I remember that book by Bradley fondly Pam - I was a teenager when I read it, so long ago!
Finished At the End of the World: A True Story of Murder in the Arctic
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Greg wrote: "Pam wrote: "Catchup of what I've read since beginning of March, apart from the one I've just read and haven't yet done the review for - ...I remember that book by Bradley fondly ..."
It was a re-read for me too Greg though I didn't remember details just that it was about "Amazons".
I've just read the sequel Thendara House, and posted a review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1934827050.
Finished Corrag
A very gripping read, but it is the underlying themes that resonate most with me. 4.5 stars.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
...I remember that book by Bradley fondly ..."..."
Oh goodness, I remember the Free Amazon Oath printed in the front flap of one of them. It was thrilling for me at the time, the sort of counter-culture of the Renunciates was so different than anything else I was exposed to. I've forgotten much, but I especially loved the third one City of Sorcery as a teenager.
Great reviews! You're right about some aspects being dated I think, though in my family in the 1980's my aunts were always referred to by the Mrs. (Uncle's name). My family was old school! I remember getting upset that I wasn't allowed to write my aunt's names on the outside of the Christmas cards. My mom eventually did let me put Mrs (Aunt's first name) and Mr. (Uncle's first and last name) in the letter address on the outside of some cards. Though oddly my eldest Aunt was offended by it. So much has changed since then!!
Alice wrote: "Finished CorragA very gripping read, but it is the underlying themes that resonate most with me. 4.5 stars.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"
I am glad you were happy with it.
My review of The Romance Reader's Guide to Life by Sharon Pywell
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Greg wrote: "Pam wrote: "Greg wrote: "Pam wrote: "Catchup of what I've read since beginning of March, apart from the one I've just read and haven't yet done the review for - ...I remember that book by Bradley..."
Even though by that time my grandfather had been dead 10 years the bank still sent my grandmother letters addressed to 'Mrs Edward ....'
A few days ago I finished On Basilisk Station and have just got the review up.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
...I remember that boo..."
I wonder when the majority of people started to switch away from that custom? I bet it varied regionally, even within the US.
To this day, I can't quite understand why my aunt was offended by my not following that custom back in the early 80's. Perhaps she felt I was somehow dishonoring her marriage or that my mother was by allowing me to write the addresses a different way? No idea.
It has been ages since I posted here. My personal challenge thread has been updated with a complete list of what I have been reading but most recently finished was Balzac's Eugénie Grandet which I thought was very good, though the ending was sad. I listened to the LibriVox recording narrated by Bruce Pirie & he did an excellent job with the narration.On my Kindle, I read the 3rd book in the 87th Precinct series by Ed McBain, The Pusher. Even though this was written in 1956, it could have been set today... well, perhaps today there would be more sophisticated forensics but other than that it was surprisingly contemporary.
Thank you to everyone who loved and raved about Beartown. I just finished it and was completely blown away. This was my first Backman: I had never been drawn to A Man Called Ove and what I've perceived to be his books about adorably cranky old curmudgeons, but I'm open to revising that and picking these up after being so thoroughly fulfilled by Beartown. 5 stars.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Oh my, I was absolutely forced to dump Saigon: An Epic Novel of Vietnam. It was that terrible.My very short review which clues you in to what you have in store if you choose to read this: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
So great to have you back Leslie! Hope the family situation has settled down.
Greg wrote: "Leslie wrote: "It has been ages since I posted here. My personal challenge thread has been updated with a complete list of what I have been reading but most recently finished was Balzac's ..."Thanks Greg -- it looks like everything is settling down back to normal now.
Just finished listening to
Daughters of the Bride by Susan Mallery If you like 'happy ever after' - this one's a gem! It has left me with a smile on my face and a genuine liking for this family. To all you who know me, this is indeed high praise coming from someone who doesn't 'do romance'.
Daughters of the Bride is not 'schmaltzy' - it is enjoyable. I even laughed out loud in several places - yes, a good look when you are sitting in a café on your own.
Next time I fancy something light and enjoyable, I will be looking at Susan Mallery first.
Greg wrote: "Pam wrote: "Greg wrote: "Pam wrote: "Catchup of what I've read since beginning of March, apart from the one I've just read and haven't yet done the review for - ...I remember that book by Bradley..
You're right about some aspects being dated I think, though in my family in the 1980's my aunts were always referred to by the Mrs. (Uncle's name). My family was old school! I remember getting upset that I wasn't allowed to write my aunt's names on the outside of the Christmas cards."
I live in Australia, and we had a German exchange student living with us in the early 90s, and she completely cracked up when she saw a letter from the States addressed to me as Mrs (husband's name). She thought they'd mistaken me for him! I explained that many people write it that way, but I have no idea when it changed. I don't recall getting Aussie letters addressed like that. She'd never heard of such a thing.
Mod
I've seen it only in Victorian books!
In Italy it was quite common up to 20/30 years ago that the wife took the SURNAME of the husband - all my teachers in schools were knows as Prof. and the surname of their husbands. Not anymore. I sign, and am addressed as Mrs Taramelli, not Calzola.
Greg wrote: "Esther wrote: "Greg wrote: "Pam wrote: "Greg wrote: "Pam wrote: "Catchup of what I've read since beginning of March, apart from the one I've just read and haven't yet done the review for - ...I re..."
Esther and Greg
I always found that an odd custom. Mind you, I usually just write 'Mr and Mrs so-and-so' on Christmas cards these days unless I know someone goes by Ms. Mainly because there are so many to write and I practically lose the will to live as it is!
Leslie wrote: "It has been ages since I posted here. My personal challenge thread has been updated with a complete list of what I have been reading but most recently finished was Balzac's [book:Eugénie Grandet|59..."Glad to see you back Leslie; missed your reviews!
LauraT wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I live in Australia, and we had a German exchange student living with us in the early 90s, and she completely cracked up when she saw a letter from the States addressed to ..."That still happens in the UK Laura unless a woman makes a point of saying she is sticking to her pre married surname (won't say 'single' as some keep their previous married surname). But at least the 'custom' of changing the woman's own first name into her husband's isn't followed now.
Read Thomas Burnett Swann's The Not-World and posted a review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1934898666.
Mod
Laura, I do know many people nowadays in the US who do not take the husband's surname either. Some women do and some don't. In California anyway there doesn't seem any judgement put on it either way - the woman chooses to do whatever she wants with the surname. Perhaps it's that way nationwide in the US now, not sure.
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